Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Love or Hate ❯ Volume Five, Chapter Thirty-Two: Kiss-Kiss Rumors ( Chapter 32 )

Kiss-Kiss Rumors

It didn't take long for the video to hit the rounds. Mai and Isao looked to be arguing. He looked stressed. Some thought she would attack. The comments were on fire.

“Isao is so cool!”

“Scumbag!”

“He's being mean!”

“Get him, Mai!”

“She's a bitch!”

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

“Who's going to win?”

“He was a jerk.”

The comments kept pouring in like that. The fan fights couldn't get enough. However, there was another group of fans gaining traction.

“Kiss already!”

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

“Are they dating?”

“They look cute together.”

“Just kiss already!”

“It's a lovers' quarrel!”

“Oh yeah, they are lovers!”

This third group has been picking up steam. It hasn't stopped either. More and more fans keep adding to the hook up Mai and Isao team. They weren't the only ones either.

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Raja scrolled through the gossip forms. He saw what the fans were saying. He couldn't help but smile to himself. These people got it. They understood what he was going for. Suddenly, his phone rang.

“Hello?” Raja asked.

“I'm in the lobby,” the matchmaker said on the other line. “Where are you?”

“I'm in the restaurant,” the businessman said. “I'm sitting at the bar.”

“See you there,” the other man said. Raja hung up. He couldn't relax yet. They had just gotten started.

A waitress came by and refilled his glass.

“Thank you,” Raja said. He looked at his phone again. More comments poured in on the video.

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The managers saw the comments too. Kaz was at a loss for words. He got on his phone.

“Hello?” Isao asked.

“Where are you now?” Kaz asked.

“Heading back to the room, why?” the vocalist asked. The manager nervously laughed.

“Have you read the comments lately?” he asked.

“Huh? You know I don't. Why? What happened?” Isao asked. Kaz breathed out in relief.

“Oh good,” he said. “You shouldn't.” There was a pause on the other line.

“Kaz, what's going on?” Isao asked. “What happened?” The manager nervously laughed.

“Well…” he said.

“Kaz…” the vocalist said. The older man lifted his chin.

“Are you and Usami-san dating?” he asked.

“No… is that what they are saying on the internet?” Isao said.

“Yes,” Kaz said.

“Don't worry about it,” the vocalist said. The manager had a confused look on his face.

“Isao…” he said.

“That's all they are,” Isao said. “Rumors. I am not going to pay them any mind. You shouldn't either.”

“Oh…” Kaz said.

“Anything else?” the vocalist asked,

“No,” Kaz said. “I'll see you in the field.”

“Okay, bye,” Isao said. He hung up on his end. Kaz looked at his phone. More comments came flooding in. The manager sighed. This was going to be a headache to fix, wasn't it?

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Mai's manager had the same problem. He too read the comments. The manager shook his head.

“Oh no…” he muttered. Suddenly, his phone rang.

“Hello?” he asked.

“What the hell is this?” Mai asked. The color drained from his face.

“Did you see it?” he asked.

“Yes!” the vocalist screamed. “I'm not dating that jerk!”

“I know,” he said. “Just calm down. Take a breath.” Mai took in heavy breaths. The manager waited in the hallway.

“Better?” he asked.

“No,” Mai grumbled. Her manager sighed.

“Look,” he said. “Just ignore them.”

“Ignore them? Ignore them?!” the vocalist asked. The manager gently shushed her.

“Listen to me,” he said. Mai went quiet on the other line. The manager took a breath.

“You have more important things to worry about,” he said. “This festival in one thing. Focus on that now.”

“You're right. You're right,” Mai said. “I'm going to crush this festival!”

“Yeah!” he shouted. “Crush this festival!” He spent two more minutes building her pride up again. In the back of his mind, he was still worried. Fans were going to talk. Surpassing the rumors would make it worse. The sweat formed on his back.

What am I going to do?

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Raja stood up when the matchmaker made it to the bar.

“Nehru-san,” the matchmaker said. The businessman bowed and smiled.

“Shall we begin?” he asked.

Track Thirty-Two